Chapter 2

In 2025, a war broke out between China and Japan. At the beginning of the war, China's momentum was unstoppable, and the Japanese army suffered a crushing defeat. As the Japanese army was on the verge of annihilation, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, South Korea, India, and other countries intervened one after another. Subsequently, Russia, North Korea, Pakistan, and other countries were also forced to take action, bringing the world to the brink of a third world war.

The conflict escalated, eventually turning into a nuclear war. In an instant, the Earth was in ruins, nearly leading to its destruction.

Fortunately, both sides came to their senses in time, and the war subsided. However, the Earth was left in a state of devastation, unable to withstand any further major damage. As a result, countries signed an agreement to avoid large-scale conflicts.

However, wherever there are people, there will be conflicts. Since these could no longer be resolved through war, another approach was sought, leading to the emergence of large-scale multinational virtual online games.

If there was any benefit to the third world war, it was undoubtedly the unprecedented technological progress spurred by the conflict. Artificial intelligence advanced rapidly, and holographic virtual imaging technology was developed, giving humanity a second world.

The advancement of high technology liberated human resources, with high-tech products replacing human labor. Thus, even without working, people had no worries about food and clothing. With nothing to do, people flocked to the internet, further stimulating the development of large-scale virtual online games. Wars for funds and various resources through these games also began.

China was no exception. People flooded into virtual online games, opening up a new world and battlefield. In this process, gaming families gradually formed, becoming a new type of combat force and the mainstay in battles with other countries.

After the war, various virtual online games sprang up like bamboo shoots after a rain, but they gradually declined as a new game was about to launch. This game was developed over a decade by the combined technological forces of major countries such as China, the United States, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France.

With so many countries investing heavily, it was no surprise that the game gained global recognition and became the main platform for competition among countries.

This virtual online game is called "Heavenly Tribulation" and will officially launch on October 1st at noon, China time. It is said that this game differs from previous ones in many ways, but the official announcement only said, "Players will experience it for themselves."

If it were any other virtual online game, such a vague statement would have been met with harsh criticism from players. However, the official statement from "Heavenly Tribulation" only increased players' anticipation and curiosity.

Official information about "Heavenly Tribulation" was scarce, to the point of being infuriating. The game only revealed nine basic classes: Swordsman, Mage, Berserker, Priest, Summoner, Assassin, Archer, Knight, and Fist Fighter.

According to insider information, "Heavenly Tribulation" has many more classes beyond these nine basic ones, including powerful hidden classes and unique classes tailored to the characteristics of different countries, such as the Taoist in China, the Ninja in Japan, and the Superhero in the United States.

The combination of traditional and unique classes is undoubtedly one of the reasons why many players are eagerly anticipating the game.

In addition to this information, there are some well-known facts. For example, the game will have many servers at the beginning, with major countries like China, the United States, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia having their own dedicated servers. Other countries with smaller populations will share servers. Initially, these servers will be separate and not connected, but as the game progresses, they will gradually merge into a single large server, often signaling the start of major battles between countries.

It is now September 30th, just one day before "Heavenly Tribulation" officially launches.

In China, the streets are empty as everyone is waiting for the game, ready to make their mark in it.

In a relatively secluded courtyard in Luoyang City, Ye Luo finished setting up the last wire. He looked around and muttered, "I've installed surveillance cameras around the courtyard and inside. Any movement will trigger an alarm, and if someone intrudes, it will connect directly to the smart brain on my wrist. Next, hmm..."

As he spoke, Ye Luo touched the bracelet on his arm. This was the latest technological achievement in China, a small smart computer that could be used for phone calls, internet, video, and more.

After finishing these tasks, Ye Luo walked towards the room, saying, "With this, Yue'er will be safe, and I can enter the game with peace of mind. Hmph, the Dongfang family, you'll see."

As he entered the room, Zhiyue came up to him. She looked at Ye Luo and said, "Big Brother, Father has sent two game pods. We can log into 'Heavenly Tribulation' together tomorrow."

Furrowing his brow slightly, Ye Luo asked, "You want to play the game too? You're only sixteen, shouldn't you be in school?"

"The school curriculum is too simple. I don't need to go to school; I can learn in the virtual church when I have time," Zhiyue said, her face full of pride. "I'm a genius, and I've been playing virtual online games for two years. I'm quite an expert."

With the advancement of technology, the holographic virtual network became a second world. People could study and work in it, almost eliminating the need to go to school or work in person.

"Look at you, so proud," Ye Luo said, a rare smile appearing on his lips, though it quickly faded. He looked at Zhiyue and said, "It's good that you'll play with me, so you won't be bored. By the way, have you thought about what class you want to play?"

"Summoner, I like this class the most. You can summon powerful creatures or spirits to fight," Zhiyue said without hesitation, her face filled with anticipation. "Of course, it would be even better to get a hidden class. I've heard they are much stronger than the nine basic classes, but it's very difficult to obtain one. Besides strength, luck is also important."

"Summoner, that's not bad," Ye Luo murmured. "Relying on summoned creatures, you won't have to fight directly, which will keep you safer."

"Big Brother, what class do you want to play?" Zhiyue asked curiously, her face full of admiration. "Big Brother is so amazing, you must be great at games too."

"I'm not sure, as I rarely played games before," Ye Luo shook his head. Seeing Zhiyue's surprised face, he continued, "Did Sister Qiu play games before? What classes did she choose?"

At the mention of "Sister Qiu," Zhiyue's smile froze. She murmured, "Sister often played Swordsman, sometimes Mage. She was a true gaming genius, one of the top three experts in our family..."

"Oh, then I'll choose Swordsman first, and maybe Mage as a second choice," Ye Luo said calmly, stroking Zhiyue's hair, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Yue'er, don't worry, I'll avenge Sister Qiu, I will!"

"Um, definitely!"

Time seemed to move slowly while waiting. Finally, it was 11:50 AM the next day. Ye Luo and Zhiyue ate a quick meal and returned to their rooms to enter the game pods and prepare for the game.

Iris recognition, identity verification, holographic scanning, and a slight tremor, Ye Luo's image entered the game. He found himself in a virtual space, and an image appeared in his mind:

A massive meteorite, trailing flames, crashed to the ground, causing the earth to shake and fires to erupt. Black smoke rose, fierce beasts roared, and deities descended, emitting terrifying auras. The land was ravaged, and countless lives were lost, a scene of the end of the world.

In the end, the blood and flames coalesced into two characters—Heavenly Tribulation.

The image was not long, only a few minutes, but it was very realistic. Ye Luo felt as if he were there, experiencing the power of the demons and the fragility of life.

"So this is the arrival of Heavenly Tribulation?" Ye Luo murmured, moved by the previous image.

"Demons dance, Heavenly Tribulation arrives, and the world suffers. Adventurer, do you have the courage to fight for the world? Are you willing to enter the Heavenly Tribulation continent to save countless lives?!" A grand and solemn voice echoed, and a large white-robed figure appeared before Ye Luo.

From Zhiyue's introduction and his own research on other online games, Ye Luo knew this was a necessary step to enter the game. He said calmly, "I am willing."

"Adventurer, you are a brave warrior. Welcome to the 'Heavenly Tribulation' world. Please name your character. Once named, it cannot be changed unless under special circumstances or with special items," the white-robed figure continued.

"Yeluo Zhiqiu," Ye Luo said calmly, a name he had thought of over the past few days.

"This name is available. Adventurer, do you confirm the name?" the white-robed figure asked, repeating, "Once named, it will be difficult to change, so please be careful."

"I confirm," Ye Luo nodded firmly, thinking of the person in his heart.

"Good, Yeluo Zhiqiu, the name is confirmed," the white-robed figure said, then continued, "Please choose the class you want to play."

A dialogue box appeared before Ye Luo, and he was taken aback. He murmured, "Didn't they say there were nine basic classes? Why are there only two choices here?"

Indeed, there were only two choices: Warrior and Mage. There was no Swordsman, which he wanted to play first, nor the Mage as his second choice, which is why he was confused.

As if anticipating Ye Luo's confusion, the white-robed figure said, "There are only two initial classes: Warrior and Mage. After your character reaches level 10, you can choose an apprentice class. Warriors can become Swordsmen, Knights, Berserkers, Archers, Assassins, or Fist Fighters. Mages can become Mages, Summoners, or Enchanters. Adventurer, which do you choose?"

Understanding now, Ye Luo said softly, "I choose Warrior."

"Warriors have three choices: Strength, Agility, and Constitution, corresponding to Battle Soul, Martial Soul, and Blood Soul, respectively. Which do you choose?" the white-robed figure continued, and a dialogue box with three choices appeared before Ye Luo.

Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Intelligence are the four basic attributes of characters in the game, and choosing which attribute has a significant impact on the class. Ye Luo had done some research, but the Battle Soul, Martial Soul, and Blood Soul were new to him. To be cautious, he asked, "What are the characteristics of these choices, and which classes are they suitable for?"